News Synopsis
PROJECT SNAPSHOT
Capacity: 200 MWh
Location: Bulgaria
Developer: CRRC Zhuzhou Institute
Technology: Liquid-cooled BESS with modular DC battery cabins, AC cabins and PCS
Product Launch: 6.X Liquid-Cooled Energy Storage System
Additional Technology: "Chixiao" 460 kW PV Inverter
Status: Operational; full-capacity grid connection achieved on April 3, 2026
Event: The Smarter E Europe 2026
Venue: Messe München, Germany
Exhibition Dates: June 23–25, 2026
CRRC Zhuzhou Institute, subsidiary of CRRC Corporation Limited will make use of The Smarter E Europe 2026 event to unveil its newly developed 6.X liquid-cooled energy storage system, supported by operational experience from 200 MWh Bohot BESS project in Bulgaria. The Bulgarian battery facility was completely finished, plugged into the country's main electrical grid and fully turned on in April 2026.
Being actively involved internationally, covering more than 25 countries, the manufacturer's presence at the event points to an expansion into Europe. The launch of this product at this trade show could reflect the strategy of the company concerning its intentions to gain more market share in Europe due to the need for more flexibility in the electrical grids of this continent because of renewable energy sources.
Engineered for utility-scale setups, grid-side assets, and commercial and industrial (C&I) projects, the 6.X platform focuses heavily on physical footprint reduction. An increase of 25% in energy density allows the system to take up 20% less physical space than previous iterations. This compact layout targets the strict land availability limits and complex permitting frameworks that frequently stall European infrastructure developments.
For temperature control, the system features a top-discharge thermal architecture paired with smart, temperature-adaptive programming. These engineering choices lower cooling-related auxiliary power draws by more than 10%, which aids overall system round-trip efficiency. A versatile design allows project developers to configure the hardware for multiple application scenarios based on localized grid demands.
Apart from the release of its new products, the system's safety testing was conducted according to UL 9540A:2026 and NFPA 855:2026. According to CRRC Zhuzhou Institute, the validation included large-scale fire tests along with six-stage safety verification aimed at evaluating the performance of the systems in challenging operating conditions.
The manufacturer points to the 200 MWh Bohot project as a core regional reference. That site relies on a modular setup built from DC battery containers, integrated AC cabins, power conversion system (PCS) hardware, and a 33 kV grid-connection assembly. Beyond hardware logistics, the project execution also included integrated local hiring practices, technical training for local teams, regional equipment procurement and comprehensive environmental impact reviews.
In addition to the energy storage platform, CRRC Zhuzhou Institute will showcase its “Chixiao” 460 kW photovoltaic inverter. The inverter delivers 460 kW of rated output and up to 506 kW maximum output, while increasing power density by 28% compared with the previous generation. The product also incorporates silicon-carbide (SiC) semiconductor devices, which the company said can support lower system costs for utility-scale ground-mounted solar projects.
The company’s participation at The Smarter E Europe comes as Europe continues to accelerate investment in battery storage and grid-support technologies to improve renewable energy integration, strengthen system reliability and support long-term decarbonization targets.